Marseille
Aug 26th, 2006, 04:51 AM
#1
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Marseille
Greetings:
Next summer, my cruise ship makes a port call at Marseille. Marseille doesn't seem that interesting to me. Where do you suggest I visit (can't be too far since the cruise stops at the port only for the day)? Suggestions would be greatly welcomed.
Thanks
Next summer, my cruise ship makes a port call at Marseille. Marseille doesn't seem that interesting to me. Where do you suggest I visit (can't be too far since the cruise stops at the port only for the day)? Suggestions would be greatly welcomed.
Thanks
Aug 26th, 2006, 05:55 AM
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I agree with hopscotch. Aix is a short train ride away. But Aix is a small city, not a village. Just wanted you to be aware.
If natural beauty is appealing to you, the Calanques de Cassis are supposed to be very special.
If natural beauty is appealing to you, the Calanques de Cassis are supposed to be very special.
Aug 26th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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Hi Caroltravel,
You HAVE to go and visit the Calanques. These are a series of jaw-droppingly beautiful coves just to the east of Marseille. The nearest town to these coves is Cassis, which you can get to easily by frequent train from Marseille.
Do not miss these.
Have fun!
David
http://www.davidwenk.com
You HAVE to go and visit the Calanques. These are a series of jaw-droppingly beautiful coves just to the east of Marseille. The nearest town to these coves is Cassis, which you can get to easily by frequent train from Marseille.
Do not miss these.
Have fun!
David
http://www.davidwenk.com
Aug 26th, 2006, 08:36 AM
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Well, we made a great effort to see the calanques, and didn't feel it was worth it. However, Cassis is not too far from Marseilles.
Whereas strolling the Cours Mirabeau in Aix and people-watching from a sidewalk cafe is the arch-typical Provencal experience. Exploring the old town and seeking out the fountains is fun, too. You might check to see if the day you're going to be in Marseilles is a market day in Aix. And, if you like Provencal markets, try to arrive early.
Whereas strolling the Cours Mirabeau in Aix and people-watching from a sidewalk cafe is the arch-typical Provencal experience. Exploring the old town and seeking out the fountains is fun, too. You might check to see if the day you're going to be in Marseilles is a market day in Aix. And, if you like Provencal markets, try to arrive early.
Aug 26th, 2006, 08:58 AM
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I think either Aix or Cassis would be a good choice, depending on your taste and/or mood. Cassis is more of a village, although with resort overtones, and has a very picturesque waterfront. Aix has to be my favorite small city in the entire world, however. The pedestrian medieval core is just delightful, the pace is relaxed, and the people are friendly. I really enjoyed having an extended lunch in one of the outdoor cafes. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
Aug 26th, 2006, 08:59 AM
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I do like Marseille for it's Vieux-Port area, for its basilica Notre-Dame de La Garde, islands (Frioul, etc), the corniches and especially for its calanques. There are famous calanques that are reached more easily from Marseille than from Cassis (Callelongue, Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton come to my mind). Spectacular! For me Marseille is a region including all that and that's pretty good.
But if you say you don't find Marseille interesting, there is no point I insist. Everyone's taste is different.
If you go to Cassis, I recommend taking a bus at Prado - Castellane stop. That takes you to the center of Cassis and the view from the bus when it runs on the corniche route is spectacular! Cassis train station is far from the beach/center of Cassis and the shuttle bus that links two points is not frequent. Also the train runs behind the corniche so the view is not interesting. From Cassis, you can hike to a few calanques including En-Vau that is often called the most beautiful calanque of all but this one is 2 hour hike one way. There are other easier ones. If you are not sporty enough (not that challenging though), you can take a sightseeing boat from Cassis port for a pleasant 1-2 hr cruise. You can see then all those calanques from the sea (I prefer doing it on foot though). You can do a calanque boat from Marseille Viex-Port too. And there are other boats to visit those islands, l'If and Frioul.
They have a very helpful tourist infomation by the Vieux-Port on the Canebière Street of Marseille.
But if you say you don't find Marseille interesting, there is no point I insist. Everyone's taste is different.
If you go to Cassis, I recommend taking a bus at Prado - Castellane stop. That takes you to the center of Cassis and the view from the bus when it runs on the corniche route is spectacular! Cassis train station is far from the beach/center of Cassis and the shuttle bus that links two points is not frequent. Also the train runs behind the corniche so the view is not interesting. From Cassis, you can hike to a few calanques including En-Vau that is often called the most beautiful calanque of all but this one is 2 hour hike one way. There are other easier ones. If you are not sporty enough (not that challenging though), you can take a sightseeing boat from Cassis port for a pleasant 1-2 hr cruise. You can see then all those calanques from the sea (I prefer doing it on foot though). You can do a calanque boat from Marseille Viex-Port too. And there are other boats to visit those islands, l'If and Frioul.
They have a very helpful tourist infomation by the Vieux-Port on the Canebière Street of Marseille.
Aug 27th, 2006, 10:19 AM
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http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ques%202004-6/
Carol, take a look at my album above. Mostly of calanques but also a bit of Marseille city.
Carol, take a look at my album above. Mostly of calanques but also a bit of Marseille city.
Aug 27th, 2006, 12:51 PM
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By the way, at least one survey of the French that asked if they could live in any city in France which it would be, Aix was the winner. It's a beautiful city. And I love the MFK Fisher book as well.
Dec 12th, 2006, 11:37 AM
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Does anyone know a private guide to meet us at our ship in April? We are a mom and 2 daughters traveling.
Also, does anyone know a 1 day cooking school near Marseilles so we can learn French cooking and have a great experience??? Pleae reply [email protected]
Also, does anyone know a 1 day cooking school near Marseilles so we can learn French cooking and have a great experience??? Pleae reply [email protected]
Dec 12th, 2006, 01:43 PM
#20
We loved Cassis. As for Aix, here is what I wrote a few years ago about a previous trip to "that place." For those of you who enjoy Aix, I apologize in advance (sort of).
"Aix-en-Provence Aixencuates the most negative connotation for me. The Aixhaust fumes were horrendous. The traffic Aixasperated my wife and me. There was Aixtreme air pollution. I've had more fun at an Aixecution.
There was no Aixcitement about being there. Finally my wife Aixclaimed, "Tom, can we Aix this terrible town from any future trips." I felt like the Aixedental Tourist.
There was one good thing about Aix, however. Because it was so crowded and polluted, Tracy and I kept going back to the hotel and made love until we we were simply Aixhausted. We dubbed the town "Sex-en-Provence."
We Aixcitedly Aixeted Aix, never to return. Tracy said, "II would not even recommend this place to your Aix wife." To me those who told me this city was nice pulled an Aix con on me.
Perhaps, however, there is someone out there who loves Aix-en-Provence who can Aixplain what they see as charming about it. Maybe you can Aixtoll its virtues. Aixcuse me for the length of this post, but I had demons to Aixercize about Aix."
Okay, I feel better now.
"Aix-en-Provence Aixencuates the most negative connotation for me. The Aixhaust fumes were horrendous. The traffic Aixasperated my wife and me. There was Aixtreme air pollution. I've had more fun at an Aixecution.
There was no Aixcitement about being there. Finally my wife Aixclaimed, "Tom, can we Aix this terrible town from any future trips." I felt like the Aixedental Tourist.
There was one good thing about Aix, however. Because it was so crowded and polluted, Tracy and I kept going back to the hotel and made love until we we were simply Aixhausted. We dubbed the town "Sex-en-Provence."
We Aixcitedly Aixeted Aix, never to return. Tracy said, "II would not even recommend this place to your Aix wife." To me those who told me this city was nice pulled an Aix con on me.
Perhaps, however, there is someone out there who loves Aix-en-Provence who can Aixplain what they see as charming about it. Maybe you can Aixtoll its virtues. Aixcuse me for the length of this post, but I had demons to Aixercize about Aix."
Okay, I feel better now.
